Institutional Assessment
Houston Christian University is committed to the ongoing assessment of all academic and administrative programs and units across the university. Academic and administrative assessment is an imperative aspect of our institution’s growth year-over-year, and allows for effective reflection, action planning, and development throughout the campus.
Each year, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations oversees the annual reporting of assessment reports that are documented within Xitracs. The assessment cycle follows the following format each year, although specific dates are updated each academic cycle to align with the academic calendar.
August: The Director of Assessment and Academic Operations works alongside the SACSCOC Administrative and Academic Officers to prepare assessment training for all writers. Training is delivered during the Faculty Symposium (for academic writers) and during the first week of the fall semester (for administrative writers). Xitracs training is also provided for individuals that are new to assessment or would like a refresher on the software. In addition, training is provided for the academic and administrative review teams to provide guidance for the review process that takes place in October.
September: During the month of September, writers actively work in Xitracs to report findings for the prior academic year and to set goals for the upcoming/current academic year. The report includes data from the prior year’s assessments as well as a detailed analysis on how the results can be used for growth and development. The plan includes goals for the new academic year, some of which are the same as or similar to the prior year, and some of which are new. All administrative units must identify an SPA (Strategic Plan Assessment) that aligns one or more of their departmental goals with the university’s strategic plan. In addition, academic and student support units (see below) must also identify at least one student learning outcome (SLO) for their department that shows direct student learning or achievement in their area.
Academic units must also report on prior year data, but when building their plans, must ensure that all goals and assessments are linked directly to the program’s curriculum map and program outcomes. All of this data is housed within Xitracs.
October: During the month of October, the review process is conducted. Roughly eight individuals from administrative units across campus and twelve full-time faculty assist in the review process of all assessments on campus. Reviewers are assigned a random group of assessments (non of which report to them directly) and a rubric to use to review all assessment documents. Reviewers are also advised to use the training materials from August/September, as needed. Reviewers provide feedback on all assessments assigned to them via a SharePoint folder that houses all assessment documents for the academic year. Once all reviews have taken place, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations meets with review teams to review the team’s comments and to prepare a final report back to each writer requesting updates, clarifications, and changes, as applicable. The review team is not reviewing what is being assessed, but more so how units/areas are assessing their outcomes. It is the unit/department’s choice on what to assess each year.
Once all assessments review meetings have taken place, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations communicates with writers and supports necessary edits. By mid-November, the assessment process is completed.
If you are interested in supporting the university’s annual assessment efforts or would like more information on assessment, please contact the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations directly.
Academic Units
The following Academic Programs are assessed each academic year. Programs being taught out remain in the assessment cycle until all student coursework has been completed. Minors that are related to a corresponding major are assessed within the major. Standalone minors are assessed separately.
College of Science and Engineering
BSc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BSc Biology, BSc Chemistry, BSc Computer Science, BSc Cyber Engineering, BSc Cybersecurity, BSc Electrical Engineering, BSc Information Systems, BSc Mathematics, BSc Science Studies, MSc Cybersecurity, MSc Data Science, Premedical Studies (Minor), PSM Health Professions
Linda Dunham School of Nursing
BA Kinesiology – Sport Management, BSc Allied Health, BSc Kinesiology – Wellness Management, MSc Kinesiology – Wellness Management, MSN, BSN (including RN-BSN)
Archie W. Dunham College of Business
BA Business Administration, BBA Accounting, BBA Finance, BBA International Business, BBA Management, BBA Marketing, Business Core (UG), Data Analytics (Minor), Master of Business Administration, MSc Human Resources Management, MSs Leadership, MSs Management & Entrepreneurship
College of Arts and Humanities
Art History (Minor), BA Criminal Justice, BA English, BA Family Studies, BA Great Texts, BA History, BA Legal Studies, BA Medical Humanities, BA Narrative Arts, BA Philosophy, BA Political Science, BA Spanish, BA/BFA Studio Art, BFA Animation/BFA Video Game Design, BFA Cinematic Arts, BFA Creating Writing, BFA Graphic Design, BFA Interactive Media & Digital Design, HCU Academy, Honors College, Interdisciplinary Studies, MA Cinematic Arts, MA History, MA Philosophy, MFA Screenwriting, MFA Studio Art, MFA/MA Creative Writing, Master of Liberal Arts, Music (BM and BA), Music Education, Music Performance, Sociology (Minor), Speech Communication (Minor)
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Alternative Certification Program, Bachelor of Social Work, BSc Learning, Technology and Design, Ed.D (Executive Educational Leadership), Ed.D (Mental Health and Human Services), Ed.D (Special Education Leadership), MA Christian Counseling, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA Human Services Counseling, MA Marriage and Family Therapy, MA Pschology, MA Psychology LSSP, M.Ed Curriculum Instruction (with certification), M.Ed Curriculum Instruction (without certification), M.Ed Educational Administration, M.Ed Educational Diagnostician, M.Ed Professional School Counseling, MSc Learning Technology and Design, Psychology (UG), Education (UG)
School of Christian Thought
Apologetics (Minor), BA Biblical Languages, BA Classics, BA Integrated Behavioral Studies, DMin, Latin (Minor), MA Apologetics, MA Biblical Languages, MA Classics and Early Christianity, MA Theological Studies, MDiv/MACL, Theology (UG)
Administrative Units
The following Administrative United are assessed each academic year.
Academic and Student Support Units
Academic Operations, Academic Records, Academic Support and Resources, Advising, Athletics, Career and Calling, Center for Law and Liberty, Commuter Engagement, Dunham Bible Museum, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Freshman Year Experience, Gideon Institute Counseling Center, Graduate Admissions, McNair Center, Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts and the Museum of Southern History, Office of the Provost, Pampell Online Division, Public Safety, Residence Life, Spiritual Life, Student Conduct and Governance, Student Engagement, Student Involvement, Student Support Services/TRiO, Testing and Accommodations, Tutoring Services, Veterans and International Students
Administrative Support Units
Accounting, Advancement, Aramark Services, C-LITE, Human Resources, Information Technology, Maintenance and Operations, Planning and Budget, Student Accounts Receivable, University Events/Conferences, University Marketing, University Store
General Education Assessment
In addition to the assessment of academic and administrative units, the university's general education program (Liberal Arts Core Curriculum) is assessed annually. The General Education Committee has representatives from all areas of the university's core curriculum. The general education assessment report is reviewed and completed in May of the academic year. This is the only report that is reviewed in the spring. In the fall, the General Education Committee comes together to identify the plan for the new academic year including identifying which courses will be assessed. The assessment cycle toggles certain courses where students have the option to take different courses (e.g. MATH 1302 or MATH 1313, CHRI 1301 or CHRI 2373). This ensures that the university is actively reviewing all core curriculum options year-over-year.